Next10 and radical materials

The Next 10 Years: Radical materials

What is this technology?

Again, this not a single technology but a field of development that re-engineers the materials we use for construction to make them stronger, more durable, unbreakable, flexible, waterproof, anything proof.

Much of this change is occurring thanks to advances in nanotechnology, which allows materials to deconstructed and reconstructed at a molecular or atomic level.

What will happen?

Bendy and shatterproof

Brand new materials suitable for the construction, electronics, medical and textile industries will allow for products that cannot be fabricated using current techniques.

Fortunes will be made as scientists partner with big business to patent and trademark new materials.


Products will no longer fail due to material fatigue.

Portability will increase as traditional heavy materials are replaced with lighter ones.

How will this impact society?

Hydrophilic textile

The consumer will have access to an unprecedented array of new and radically improved products,

Society will see a dramatic decrease in injury and fatality incidents as materials become lighter, stronger and resistant to wear.

New textile materials will launch lines of clothes that allow people to survive in extreme heat and cold conditions and a convergence of battery technology and textile development will bring clothes that have flexible batteries woven into the fabric that will act as a power generator.

Assuming that patented materials do not lead to a monopolistic price-gouging mentality these new engineered materials should be cheap to fabricate, resulting in high customer consumption.

The current demand for natural fibres will dwindle and farming of animals for wool production, the cultivation of cotton will be decimated.

What supports this prediction?

Moisture repelling textiles, flexible gadgets

Lighter than air - Aerographite

Feeling fabrics from Footfalls and Heartbeats

Quantum Dots revolutionise displays